Overview
- Brazil beat Japan 2-1 on Monday with Gabriel Magalhães setting up Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli scoring a stoppage-time winner to send the five-time champions into the last 16.
- Canada recorded its first-ever World Cup knockout victory on Sunday when Stephen Eustáquio scored late to beat South Africa 1-0 and secure a date with the winner of Netherlands versus Morocco.
- Germany entered its round-of-32 tie as clear favorites according to Opta simulations and pre-match coverage that gave them the strongest chance among Monday’s matches to advance past Paraguay.
- The Netherlands versus Morocco match is widely previewed as the round’s closest fixture, with experts and bookmakers expecting a tight game that could determine Canada’s next opponent in Houston.
- Ivory Coast and Norway are scheduled to meet on June 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington with the winner set to face Brazil in the round of 16, and Erling Haaland remains a focal point in the tournament’s top-scorer race.